WO2014090887A1 - Improved circuit breaker apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit breaker apparatus comprising a set of arc contacts (32), a set of isolating contacts (42) and a set of permanent contacts (52), a first branch (71) comprising the set of arc and isolating contacts connected in series, a second branch (72) comprising the set of permanent contacts, the two branches being connected in parallel, comprising a first control (61) and a second control (62), the first control making it possible to simultaneously trigger the tripping of the set of arc contacts and of the set of permanent contacts, the second control making it possible to cause the set of isolating contacts to trip between its two positions only when the set of arc contacts and the set of permanent contacts are in their open position, the two controls being distinct controls, the second control being an actuation button linked to an electric motor.

Description

 IMPROVED CURRENT CUTTING APPARATUS

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to high voltage electrical circuits. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved apparatus for power failure.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

High-voltage circuits can include, among others, two types of power cut-off devices: circuit breakers and disconnectors.

 An isolator has only one set of contacts, called permanent contacts. Permanent contacts of a disconnector may be in the air. When closed, the disconnector passes current through permanent contacts. When open, the permanent contacts of a disconnector are separated by a distance offering a certain dielectric strength (or withstand).

A circuit breaker has a set of main contacts, also called permanent contacts, and a set of arc contacts. In known manner, these two sets of contacts are arranged in a closed volume containing a gas favorable to the extinction of the electric arc, and therefore to the breaking of the current. When closed, the circuit breaker passes current through permanent contacts. During his maneuver opening, the permanent contacts and the arc contacts separate.

 A circuit breaker and a disconnector are generally used in series to combine the characteristics and advantages of each device: the breaking capacity of the circuit breaker and the dielectric strength of the disconnector. Such a series architecture comprises two separate commands: the control of the circuit breaker, and the control of the disconnector.

 FIG. 1 illustrates such a series connection of a circuit-breaker 11 and a disconnector 21. The circuit-breaker 11 has a set of permanent contacts 12 and a set of arcing contacts 13. The disconnector 21 has a set of permanent contacts 22. Here, all the sets of contacts 12, 13 and 22 are shown in their open position.

 In such a connection, the current is passed through two sets of permanent contacts, which gives rise to significant power losses Joule effect.

 French patent application FR 2 763 171, which describes a combined disconnecting circuit breaker, is also known.

 The apparatus described in this document discloses a circuit breaker having a plurality of concentric outer tubes forming the main contacts, and arc contacts, internal to the tubes. A disconnect switch is integrated in the circuit breaker, inside the tubes and aligned longitudinally with the arcing contacts.

This device has the particularity of having a mechanical control in the form of a hub content in a tree. The shaft has a lever connected to a tube of the sliding circuit breaker. The hub has a lever connected to a movable bow contact rod.

The hub further comprises a connecting rod connected to a sliding contact of the disconnector.

 The rotational drive of the shaft successively allows the separation of the main contacts of the circuit breaker, the arcing contacts, and finally the contacts of the disconnector.

 This architecture has the disadvantage of using a complex command to put in motion the different elements.

 In addition, the movement of all the elements is achieved by a single command, which differs from the operating mode of conventional series connection of the circuit breaker and the disconnector.

 The object of the invention is to propose an alternative to existing disjunctuator-disconnector combinations which is simple, offers great flexibility of use and is economical.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention thus relates to a current-breaking device comprising a set of arcing contacts, a set of isolating contacts and a set of permanent contacts, a first branch comprising the arcing contact set and the set of contacts. severely connected in series, a second branch having the set of permanent contacts, the second branch being connected in parallel with the first branch, each set of contacts admitting a respective open position and a respective closed position. The current-breaking apparatus according to the invention comprises a first command and a second command, the first command making it possible to simultaneously trigger the switching of the set of arcing contacts and the set of permanent contacts from one position to the other , the second command for switching the set of sectioning contacts between its two positions, the set of sectioning contacts can switch to its open position only when the arc contact set and the set of permanent contacts are in their open position, the two commands being separate commands, the second command being an actuation button connected to an electric motor.

 Thus, advantageously, in the switchgear according to the invention, the current almost exclusively passes through a single set of contacts, those of the second branch, hence their denomination of permanent contacts, when the circuit is closed, limiting the losses by Joule effect.

 Handling of the switchgear is easy, that is to say that the presence of a separate control for the dielectric function allows independent and precise handling of the isolation contacts unlike the patent FR 2 763 171 in which the disconnector is actuated automatically as soon as the cut is completed.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the set of arcing contacts is isolated independently of the set of permanent contacts in a gas tight volume containing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

 This insulating gas having very good insulating and arc resorbing properties, the invention advantageously makes it possible to limit the volume of the interrupting chamber.

 According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the set of permanent contacts is isolated independently of the set of arcing contacts and the set of isolating contacts.

 The invention also relates to a power failure method using a switchgear device comprising a set of arcing contacts, a set of sectioning contacts and a set of permanent contacts, a first branch comprising the set of contact contacts. arc and the set of series-connected disconnecting contacts, a second branch comprising the set of permanent contacts, the second branch being connected in parallel with the first branch, each set of contacts admitting a respective open position and a respective closed position, the switchgear further comprising a first command and a second command, the first command for simultaneously triggering the switch of the set of arc contacts and the set of permanent contacts from one position to another, the second command to toggle the set of sectioning contacts between its two positions, comprising the following steps:

- opening by tilting to their open position the set of arc contacts and the set of permanent contacts by the first order during an opening order.

 dielectric separation by the second control of the isolation contacts, which can only be separated from one another when the arc contact set and the set of permanent contacts are in their open position, both The commands are separate commands, the second command being an actuation button connected to an electric motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

 - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a current switch device comprising a circuit breaker and a disconnector connected in series;

 - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a new switchgear apparatus.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

The switchgear apparatus 30 has a cut-off module 31, and two dielectric separation modules 41 and 51.

The apparatus 30 further comprises two controls 61 and 62. The breaking module 31 comprises a set of arc contacts 32. The breaking module 31 has a closed position in which the current can pass through it and an open position in which the current is interrupted. The contacts 32 are configured to support the formation of an electric arc during their separation (as well as when they are brought together when the power is restored), that is to say during a transition maneuver between the position closed and the open position.

 The set of arcing contacts 32 is isolated in a closed volume containing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) or another gas or gas mixture with the desired insulating properties or in a closed volume under vacuum, for example a light bulb. empty.

 The separation module 41 has a set of sectioning contacts 42. The set of sectioning contacts 42 has an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the contacts 42 provide a dielectric function, that is to say an electrical insulation function by their distance.

 The contacts 42 are isolated in a closed volume containing air, N 2 or another gas or gas mixture with the desired insulating properties.

The separation module 51 has a set of contacts 52. The set of contacts 52 has an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the contacts 52 provide a dielectric function, that is to say an electrical insulation function by their distance. The contacts 52 are isolated in a closed volume containing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), air, N2 or another gas or gas mixture with the desired insulating properties.

 The module 41, being separated from the other modules, is polluted neither by the cutoff gases nor by the products generated by the arc.

 The nature of the gas and its pressure will be adapted to the function of the module.

 The breaking module 31 and the separation module 41 are connected in series with each other, thus forming part of a first branch 11.

 A second branch 72, of which the separation module 51 is part, is connected in parallel with the first branch 71. The separation module 51 is connected at a first end of the first branch 71 to the breaking module 31 and at a second end from the first branch 71 to the separation module 41.

 The first command 61 controls the simultaneous triggering of the opening of the breaking module 31 and the separation module 51.

 The second control 62 controls the opening of the separation module 41. Here, the control 62 is a means for actuating an electric motor, for example an actuating button connected to an electric motor.

These two controls 61 and 62 are interlocked mechanically and / or electrically while being distinct, that is to say, controlled in opening independently of one another. The interlocking is for example made by electrical logic. That is, the transmission of the opening or closing orders depends on the states of closure or opening of the different modules.

 In the example, the control 62 can operate opening the separation module 41 only when the modules 31 and 51 are in the open position. Conversely, the control 61 can be actuated in closing only when the set of contacts 42 is in the closed position.

 In the closed state of the switchgear, that is to say when the current passes through it, the modules 31, 41 and 51 are all in the closed position.

 The sizing of the switchgear is such that the electrical resistance of the branch 71 is greater than the resistance of the branch 72 by at least a factor of 10. Furthermore, by skin effect, the current density is lower than the resistance of the branch 72. At least a factor 100 in the branch 71. Thus, the Joule losses of the branch 71 are much smaller and negligible compared to those of the branch 72. We therefore speak of permanent contacts for the contacts 52.

 The steps of breaking the current are described below.

 The command 61 triggers the opening of the breaking module 31 and the separation module 51.

The architecture of the apparatus 30 is such that the contacts 52 separate before the arcing contacts 32. When the contacts 52 are separated, the current no longer circulates in the second branch 72.

 When the arcing contacts 32 separate, an electric arc is formed. At the extinction of the arc, the current is interrupted in the two branches 71 and 72.

 The separation module 41 is then opened, that is to say the contacts 42 are separated by actuation of the second control 62, so as to prevent the current from recovering in the branch 71 during intervention on a portion of circuit disabled.

 Finally, the closing steps of the equipment for the restoration of the current are described.

 The set of contacts 42 is closed before the sets of contacts 32 and 52.

 The control 62 is actuated so as to close the separation module 41, then the control 61 which triggers the closing of the breaking module 31 and the separation module 51.

 On closing, the arcing contacts 32 meet before the contacts 52. When the arcing contacts 32 come closer, an electric arc is created and persists until they join. The contacts 52 then come into contact and the current is restored.

Claims

Switchgear apparatus comprising a set of arc contacts (32), a set of sectioning contacts (42) and a set of permanent contacts (52), a first branch (71) having the set of contacts arc (32) and the set of sectioning contacts (42) connected in series, a second branch (72) having the set of permanent contacts (52), the second branch (72) being connected in parallel with the first branch ( 71), each set of contacts (32, 42, 52) having a respective open position and a respective closed position, characterized in that it comprises a first command (61) and a second command (62), the first command ( 61) for simultaneously triggering the tilting of the set of arc contacts (32) and the set of permanent contacts (52) from one position to another, the second command (62) for switching the set of contacts sectioning (42) between its two positions, the sectional contact set nt (42) can swing to its open position only when the set of arc contacts (32) and the set of permanent contacts (52) are in their open position, the two controls (61, 62) being controls separate, the second control (62) being an actuating button connected to an electric motor. 2. Switchgear according to the preceding claim, the arc contact set (32) being isolated independently of the set of contacts. (52) in a gas-tight volume containing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). 3. Switchgear according to one of the preceding claims, the set of permanent contacts (52) being isolated independently of the set of arcing contacts (32) and the set of isolating contacts (42). 4. A method of breaking power using a switchgear device comprising a set of arc contacts (32), a set of sectioning contacts (42) and a set of permanent contacts (52), a first branch (71) ) having the set of arc contacts (32) and the set of sectional contacts (42) connected in series, a second branch (72) having the set of permanent contacts (52), the second branch (72) being connected parallel to the first leg (71), each set of contacts (32, 42, 52) having a respective open position and a respective closed position, the switchgear further comprising a first control (61) and a second control (62), the first control (61) for simultaneously triggering the switching of the arc contact set (32) and the set of permanent contacts (52) from one position to the other, the second control (62) to toggle the set of sectioning contacts (42) between two positions, consisting of the following steps: opening by opening the set of arc contacts (32) and the set of permanent contacts (52) to their open position by the first control (61) during an opening command.  - dielectric separation by the second control (62) of the disconnecting contacts (42), which can be separated from each other only when the set of arcing contacts (32) and the set of permanent contacts (52) are in their open position, the two controls (61, 62) being separate controls, the second control (62) being an actuating button connected to an electric motor.